You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This was such a sweet and fun rom-com that happened to be Muslim?!
I adored Ayesha! Each character was well constructed and I enjoyed each of their quirks.
The writing is superb! I didn’t know what to expect and the writer did a wonderful job. The plot is intricate and layered and really fun to read.
So amazing to have a book like this! Nothing cheesy or stereotypical. Just people trying to figure out the romantic landscape and themselves :)
I adored Ayesha! Each character was well constructed and I enjoyed each of their quirks.
The writing is superb! I didn’t know what to expect and the writer did a wonderful job. The plot is intricate and layered and really fun to read.
So amazing to have a book like this! Nothing cheesy or stereotypical. Just people trying to figure out the romantic landscape and themselves :)
This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice but from a Muslim heroine. I enjoyed the glimpse into the culture and religion of the main character and seeing how the author set her plot to capture some of the plot points of Jane Austin's classic novel.
2022 Popsugar reading challenge #18 A romance novel by a BIPOC author
2022 Popsugar reading challenge #18 A romance novel by a BIPOC author
Alright, I'll admit it: I thought it would be a little hackneyed at first, but this book grew on me a lot, and I ended up liking it. It's a pretty direct retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but with many cute details and cultural notes added, and the emotions never feel forced. I'm glad I picked it up! (One thing- did Nana win the gardening contest? Inquiring minds want to know!)
Pride and Prejudice but Muslim and Canadian.
I'm an Ayesha fangirl. But also there were a few cartoonishly villainous characters I wanted to fight.
There was some contrived miscommunication I could have done without. But the ending! Cute!
Has a couple stumbles, but it was a fun time. And it's wonderful to read a book about Muslims being *gasp* happy.
I'm an Ayesha fangirl. But also there were a few cartoonishly villainous characters I wanted to fight.
There was some contrived miscommunication I could have done without. But the ending! Cute!
Has a couple stumbles, but it was a fun time. And it's wonderful to read a book about Muslims being *gasp* happy.
My last book of the year, and a very sweet one at that!
The ridiculous dramatics aside, I don’t think I will ever tire of Pride & Prejudice remakes. The creativity put into this rendition in particular was lovely. Although there were times the characters’ attitudes felt a bit too stereotypical—Ayesha, Khalid, & Clara aside—I enjoyed the twists and turns Jalaluddin’s story led us through, especially since I didn’t even realize that this was an adaptation until more than halfway through.
I think my only complaints would be that the dialogue felt a bit corny & stilted at times, and that (as I mentioned before) the side characters felt more like stereotypes or caricatures than fully realized people, unique in their own right. I do know the sub-plots here regarding marriage are common ones in our culture, but I think I’m a bit weary of reading about the same marriage issues, or the same aunties, or the same jealousy-driven family politics. This isn’t to say they don’t exist—they obviously do, in hordes. But I also think a lot of Desi families are more complex than that, and that we deserve to show a different side of ourselves in our stories than the expectations made from the typical saas-bahu, susraal drama of Indopak serials. This isn’t a complaint exclusive to this book, but to some recent Desi contemporaries I’ve read as well.
That aside, I’m still really glad I got to end the year with a world familiar to myself. It’s true I want more diversity for our stories, but there’s also an odd comfort in reading ones like these, I suppose, especially when it comes to the food. Nice three stars.
The ridiculous dramatics aside, I don’t think I will ever tire of Pride & Prejudice remakes. The creativity put into this rendition in particular was lovely. Although there were times the characters’ attitudes felt a bit too stereotypical—Ayesha, Khalid, & Clara aside—I enjoyed the twists and turns Jalaluddin’s story led us through, especially since I didn’t even realize that this was an adaptation until more than halfway through.
I think my only complaints would be that the dialogue felt a bit corny & stilted at times, and that (as I mentioned before) the side characters felt more like stereotypes or caricatures than fully realized people, unique in their own right. I do know the sub-plots here regarding marriage are common ones in our culture, but I think I’m a bit weary of reading about the same marriage issues, or the same aunties, or the same jealousy-driven family politics. This isn’t to say they don’t exist—they obviously do, in hordes. But I also think a lot of Desi families are more complex than that, and that we deserve to show a different side of ourselves in our stories than the expectations made from the typical saas-bahu, susraal drama of Indopak serials. This isn’t a complaint exclusive to this book, but to some recent Desi contemporaries I’ve read as well.
That aside, I’m still really glad I got to end the year with a world familiar to myself. It’s true I want more diversity for our stories, but there’s also an odd comfort in reading ones like these, I suppose, especially when it comes to the food. Nice three stars.
Nice twist on the Pride and Prejudice themes. Mistaken identity, family issues.
And a great glimpse into the life of Canadian Muslims and the prejudices they face.
A reminder that people are people despite their religion, ethnicity, and they way they look and dress.
And don't judge someone on looks alone; you are probably wrong!
And a great glimpse into the life of Canadian Muslims and the prejudices they face.
A reminder that people are people despite their religion, ethnicity, and they way they look and dress.
And don't judge someone on looks alone; you are probably wrong!
Ayesha is almost 30, and by her culture’s standards, she should be married. Instead, Ayesha is focused on her career and her poetry. Instead of entertaining marriage for herself, she watches as her cousin, Hafsa, turn down suitor after suitor with some feeling sorry for her but Ayesha is just fine. She does not want the type of marriage her cousin is going to have. Khalid is a conservative muslim working in a corporate environment. The two are thrown together to work on a project for their local mosque, with Ayesha pretending to be Hafsa, who was originally supposed to have a leadership role in the project. Ayesha and Khalid find that they like each other, but it is not so simple. Ayesha is bit progressive and Khalid has conservative views about a muslim marriage.
I like Ayesha and Khalid. I enjoyed the dialogue between the two of them and internal battle they each had with themselves. Some of the supporting characters, Khalid’s coworkers, Ayesha’s friend Clara, Nana & Nani were such good additions to the book. The problem I had with the book is there was too much going on. Khalid’s trouble at work, Tarek, Khalid’s engagement, the spoiled cousin and the numerous sub plots. These can be entertaining, but I found it distracting. Overall, it didn’t take away from the story completely, but I wanted to like this more than I did.
I like Ayesha and Khalid. I enjoyed the dialogue between the two of them and internal battle they each had with themselves. Some of the supporting characters, Khalid’s coworkers, Ayesha’s friend Clara, Nana & Nani were such good additions to the book. The problem I had with the book is there was too much going on. Khalid’s trouble at work, Tarek, Khalid’s engagement, the spoiled cousin and the numerous sub plots. These can be entertaining, but I found it distracting. Overall, it didn’t take away from the story completely, but I wanted to like this more than I did.
Ayesha is almost 30, and by her culture’s standards, she should be married. Instead, Ayesha is focused on her career and her poetry. Instead of entertaining marriage for herself, she watches as her cousin, Hafsa, turn down suitor after suitor with some feeling sorry for her but Ayesha is just fine. She does not want the type of marriage her cousin is going to have. Khalid is a conservative muslim working in a corporate environment. The two are thrown together to work on a project for their local mosque, with Ayesha pretending to be Hafsa, who was originally supposed to have a leadership role in the project. Ayesha and Khalid find that they like each other, but it is not so simple. Ayesha is bit progressive and Khalid has conservative views about a muslim marriage.
I like Ayesha and Khalid. I enjoyed the dialogue between the two of them and internal battle they each had with themselves. Some of the supporting characters, Khalid’s coworkers, Ayesha’s friend Clara, Nana & Nani were such good additions to the book. The problem I had with the book is there was too much going on. Khalid’s trouble at work, Tarek, Khalid’s engagement, the spoiled cousin and the numerous sub plots. These can be entertaining, but I found it distracting. Overall, it didn’t take away from the story completely, but I wanted to like this more than I did.
I like Ayesha and Khalid. I enjoyed the dialogue between the two of them and internal battle they each had with themselves. Some of the supporting characters, Khalid’s coworkers, Ayesha’s friend Clara, Nana & Nani were such good additions to the book. The problem I had with the book is there was too much going on. Khalid’s trouble at work, Tarek, Khalid’s engagement, the spoiled cousin and the numerous sub plots. These can be entertaining, but I found it distracting. Overall, it didn’t take away from the story completely, but I wanted to like this more than I did.
Fantastic! There were a few minor plot holes, but overall I loved this book and highly recommend it to my one who enjoys romance, comedy, and reading literature that celebrates diversity. If you’re a Pride and Prejudice fan you’ll enjoy the parallels in characters and situations, but even if you’ve never cracked an Austen book in your life you can enjoy this story.